It was recently revealed that a religious non-profit group had established a Sharia Law tribunal in the Dallas area to serve Muslims with family and business disputes.

According to Fox News, the Islamic Tribunal states that “The courts of the United States of America are costly and consist of ineffective lawyers. Discontent with the legal system leads many Muslims in America to postpone justice in this world and opt for an audience on the Day of Judgment.”

Fox legal analyst and former Judge Andrew Napolitano recently joined the hosts of Fox and Friends to discuss the potential legal ramifications of such Sharia tribunals in the US.

He said that there are already a number of similar type tribunals, for all religions, all across the country, which serve to provide resolutions for people with disputes “integral to their religions.”

He explained that so long as the tribunals remain voluntary, and both parties sign an agreement to abide by the tribunal’s decision, and the operation receives no tax dollars, they are legal.

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“As long as it’s voluntary and as long as it doesn’t violate federal, state or local law, people can submit to it,” said Napolitano.

He further likened the Sharia tribunals to shows like Judge Judy, or other televised court programs.

“When you appear before Judge Judy or when you appeared before Judge Nap on ‘Power of Attorney’ on Fox, seems like 100 years ago, you actually signed an agreement naming me or Judge Judy or whoever the judge was as the final arbiter of that decision, not appealable. And you’d be bound by that decision,” he explained.

While the judge is correct, and these tribunals are legal, they are still worrisome, and are something to be watched closely.

Provided that the use of Sharia remains strictly voluntary, with both sides in full agreement about it’s use, then it is acceptable, and is in keeping with our First Amendment freedom of religion, and the free exercise thereof.

However, Sharia Law must never be allowed to be used or recognized in a US court, as Sharia is completely at odds with our Constitution and code of laws.

Please share this on Facebook and Twitter if you agree with the judge that these voluntary tribunals are legal, but must be watched closely and limited in their scope.